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Our duty is to stand firm in the face of Russian aggression
theglobeandmail.com ^ | July 25, 2014 | Stephen Harper

Posted on 07/28/2014 12:10:22 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

The world is saddened and rightfully outraged by images of the charred remnants of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, and by the loss of almost 300 people from 11 countries, strewn across fields in eastern Ukraine. While the grim work of identifying victims’ remains and tracking down the perpetrators of this appalling crime is just beginning, the world can be certain of one thing: There can be no weakening of our resolve to punish the Putin regime for threatening the peace and security of eastern and central Europe.

Although we may refer to militants in eastern Ukraine as “pro-Russian separatists,” we are not confused by who, and what, they really are: an extension of the Russian state. They derive their material, political and logistical support from the Putin regime, and their criminal aggression and recklessness reflect the values of their Russian benefactors. Some have suggested that these agents of the Putin regime may have shot the plane down by accident. We do not, and may never, know. But accident or no accident, the blood is on the hands of the men who took such a risk and of the government that encouraged them to do so. Even if they did not intend to kill hundreds of innocent civilians, there is no denying their intent to continue waging a war on behalf of a regime that remains in violation of international law for its illegal occupation of Crimea.

Russia’s aggressive militarism and expansionism are a threat to more than just Ukraine; they are a threat to Europe, to the rule of law and to the values that bind Western nations.

(Excerpt) Read more at theglobeandmail.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Russia
KEYWORDS: canada
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To: ansel12

NATO? no. This is a EU problem. European security is the reason for the formation of the EU, except they keep wanting the US via NATO to do their dirty work for them.


21 posted on 07/28/2014 12:49:03 PM PDT by wrench
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To: McGruff

Is that what you think NATO is, a defensive, anti-Russia military alliance, created as a necessity, to prevent Russia from attacking Canada?


22 posted on 07/28/2014 12:59:17 PM PDT by ansel12 (LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nation's electorate for democrats)
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To: wrench
European security is the reason for the formation of the EU, except they keep wanting the US via NATO to do their dirty work for them.

You think the EU is a military force? What do you think NATO was founded for, and is?

23 posted on 07/28/2014 1:06:09 PM PDT by ansel12 (LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nation's electorate for democrats)
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To: wrench

I always noticed since Obama that when they first announce troops dying in Afghanistan, they always make the announcement that NATO troops died. Then a short time later you find out that almost all were US troops.

If it were Bush, you would hear they were US troops from the get go.


24 posted on 07/28/2014 1:10:15 PM PDT by dforest
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To: ansel12

No, the EU is an effort by the European members to marginalize US economic power. NATO is obsolete these days and is a one sided , as far as benefits, european entity.

If EU members feel threatened by another sovern state, THEY need to form their own fighting force, fund it, field it , and command it.


25 posted on 07/28/2014 1:13:47 PM PDT by wrench
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To: dforest

If you examine any “NATO” operation it is always majority US personnel, equipment, and funding.


26 posted on 07/28/2014 1:15:51 PM PDT by wrench
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To: ansel12
Is that what you think NATO is, a defensive, anti-Russia military alliance, created as a necessity, to prevent Russia from attacking Canada?

If Canada is a member of NATO then yes.

So you say if Russia attacks Canada NATO is going to tell them you are on your own?

27 posted on 07/28/2014 1:16:56 PM PDT by McGruff (If you repeat a lie enough times the uniformed will accept it as the truth.)
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To: wrench

NATO is obviously relevant today, as Russia is on the move and non NATO nations are looking to join the defense alliance for protection and unity from Russian conquest.


28 posted on 07/28/2014 1:25:35 PM PDT by ansel12 (LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nation's electorate for democrats)
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To: McGruff

NATO was formed to protect all NATO nations from Russia, including the United States and Britain.


29 posted on 07/28/2014 1:26:56 PM PDT by ansel12 (LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nation's electorate for democrats)
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To: ansel12

A European alliance is needed to provide security for Europe (as in a EU security alliance). They need to join hands and not expect others to keep fighting and funding their security.


30 posted on 07/28/2014 1:37:25 PM PDT by wrench
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To: wrench

The free world has a European based alliance against Europe threatening Russia, it is called NATO.

Due to Russia’s reemerging as a threat of empire building and conquest, NATO is tightening up again and looking to possibly expand as more nations come to fear Putin.

We can’t let the new American left and fringe elements, and Russia, undo what so many of us here served for and that we finally gained under Reagan.


31 posted on 07/28/2014 1:45:17 PM PDT by ansel12 (LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nation's electorate for democrats)
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To: ansel12

Russia was never a threat, it was the USSR. BTW, the USSR no longer exists, Russia is but a shadow of what the USSR was.

These are regional squabbles among neighbors.


32 posted on 07/28/2014 1:51:25 PM PDT by wrench
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To: wrench

Russia is always the threat, and they were the USSR, one of the Russian empires that we refer to when we speak of them starting up empire building again.

This isn’t a “regional squabble among neighbors”, this is about Russia’s threat to the world, history didn’t end in 1991.

Don’t undo Reagan’s work, by supporting Russia.


33 posted on 07/28/2014 2:15:00 PM PDT by ansel12 (LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nation's electorate for democrats)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Great article by Prime Minister Harper! Proud to have him as a neighbor!


34 posted on 07/28/2014 2:32:16 PM PDT by familyop ("Dry land is not just our destination, it is our destiny!" - -Deacon character, "Waterworld")
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To: wrench

Soviet doctrine still guides Russian actions and military planning.


35 posted on 07/28/2014 2:34:36 PM PDT by free_life (If you ask Jesus to forgive you and to save you, He will.)
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To: wrench
Some facts about Russia's interesting military allies.

Collective Security Treaty Organization
Wikipedia

Member states[edit]

Current members
Armenia (2002)
Belarus (2002)
Kazakhstan (2002)
Kyrgyzstan (2002)
Russia (2002)
Tajikistan (2002)

Observers
Afghanistan (2013)
Serbia (2013)

Possible candidates
Iran

Former members
Azerbaijan (joined 1994, withdrew 1999)
Georgia (joined 1994, withdrew 1999)
Uzbekistan (joined 1994, withdrew 2012)

Russia has military friends in its Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO: members listed below).

All of the following excerpts are from the CIA World Factbook (as accessed on 4MAY14).

Russia
Religions:
Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.) note: estimates are of practicing worshipers; Russia has large populations of non-practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over seven decades of Soviet rule

Kazakhstan
Religions:
Muslim 70.2%, Christian 26.2% (Russian Orthodox 23.9%, other Christian 2.3%), Buddhist 0.1%, other 0.2%, atheist 2.8%, unspecified 0.5% (2009 Census)

Kyrgyzstan
Religions:
Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Tajikistan
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 85%, Shia Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.)


Belarus
Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion remain in place.
Religions:
Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.)

Armenia
Religions:
Armenian Apostolic 92.6%, Evangelical 1%, other 2.4%, none 1.1%, unspecified 2.9% (2011 est.)


36 posted on 07/28/2014 2:36:19 PM PDT by familyop ("Dry land is not just our destination, it is our destiny!" - -Deacon character, "Waterworld")
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To: ansel12

I am not supporting Russia. I am for the EU fighting their own fights. Just like Charles Millon, (former French defense minister) said in a recent interview. Basically :

“An inner circle of European countries, excluding the UK, and departure from Nato’s military command, is required if Europe is to create a Common Security and Defense Policy.”

Look it uo and read the whole text of his position.


37 posted on 07/28/2014 2:44:42 PM PDT by wrench
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To: ansel12
NATO was formed to protect all NATO nations from Russia, including the United States and Britain.

I don't disagree. But one could ask why NATO gets involved in things like overthrowing in Gaddafi in Libya.

38 posted on 07/28/2014 2:48:52 PM PDT by McGruff (If you repeat a lie enough times the uniformed will accept it as the truth.)
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To: wrench

I want to stop Russia dead in it’s tracks and prevent them becoming a threat to mankind again, I want a safe and stable Europe, not a conquered Europe turned against us, like it was until just recently.

Russia is an enemy to freedom and us.


39 posted on 07/28/2014 2:56:08 PM PDT by ansel12 (LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nation's electorate for democrats)
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To: ansel12

My Grandfather felt that strongly about Germany. He went to the French Embassy in DC to help, and joined the French Army in 1915.

Nothing stopping you if you feel that strongly about Russia. Ukraine also has an embassy in DC.

A man has to follow his heart.


40 posted on 07/28/2014 3:00:51 PM PDT by wrench
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